Thomas Frank reflected on Tottenham’s hard-fought Champions League draw against AS Monaco on Wednesday night, describing goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario as “exceptional” after his heroic performance helped Spurs secure a valuable point away from home.
Despite facing immense pressure from Monaco, who fired 23 shots at goal, Tottenham managed to escape with a 0-0 result a performance defined more by grit and resilience than by attacking flair.
The match tested Spurs’ defensive limits, and while they looked second-best for large parts of the game, Vicario’s brilliance between the posts made the difference.
The Italian shot-stopper, who had been criticized after Tottenham’s weekend defeat to Aston Villa, responded with a world-class display. Time and again, he denied Monaco’s relentless attackers, keeping Spurs alive when the game threatened to slip away.
Speaking after the game, Frank was full of praise for his goalkeeper’s performance. “Yeah, I think the two goals against Villa, I don’t think it’s like mistakes, or any of that, just two great finishes,” Frank explained.
“But tonight, Vicario was very good. Some of the saves were exceptional, and it’s a big part of why we got a hard-fought point. At the end of the day, it could be a crucial one.”
Tottenham’s draw means they’ve now recorded one win and two draws in their Champions League campaign, with difficult fixtures against PSG and Borussia Dortmund still to come.
Despite the solid defensive result, Spurs will be concerned about the possible injury to Wilson Odobert, who was forced off with pain in the second half.
Frank admitted the situation was unclear, saying, “We subbed him off because there was some pain, but I don’t know the consequences yet.”
Reflecting on the overall performance, Frank acknowledged that his side lacked sharpness, especially after halftime. “It was a fairly even first half, but in the second half, Monaco were better than us,” he said.
“We lacked a bit of intensity overall, and too many players didn’t hit their best level. But that can happen. We’re learning how to play in the Champions League, and every away game in this competition is tough, especially against a good Monaco side.”
Frank emphasized that the team is still growing into the demands of competing on multiple fronts. “Last season, we finished 17th and played in the Europa League,” he reminded.
“So we’re taking it step by step. It’s not the worst thing on a bad day to take a point and keep a clean sheet. Today, that clean sheet was down to several things, but most of all, Vicario. He played a fantastic game.”
Tottenham may have been far from their best, but Vicario’s outstanding performance ensured they left Monaco with their unbeaten European run intact and with a timely reminder of just how vital he is to this team’s ambitions.
